Championship - Balde given Birmingham trial

Eurosport - Thu, 21 May 12:38:00 2009

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish has invited Celtic defender Bobo Balde to train with the club.

FOOTBALL Celtic defender Bobo Balde, who has been offered a trial at Birmingham City, who just won promotion to the Premier League - 0

McLeish also refused to rule out another bid for Rangers striker Kris Boyd but admitted defenders were his priority as he plans for Birmingham`s return to the Premier League.

Centre-back Balde is out of contract at Celtic Park at the end of this season after years in the wilderness under Gordon Strachan. The 33-year-old has made only four appearances for the club since 2006 and has turned down previous interest from Birmingham and Wolves amid a disagreement with Celtic over a pay-off.

But McLeish is looking to tighten his defence and is keen to get a look at the Guinea international, who will play two matches for his country in June.

"We extended an invite to Balde to train with us and that's as far as it has gone," McLeish said. "We don't know if that will happen, there is a lot of water to go under the bridge. He has got internationals in the summer and I'm pursuing legitimate targets.

"Balde looks like he will be a free agent and I have to look at any opportunity I can get."

PA Sport

Comment 1 - 9 of 9

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  1. Is this really the shape of things to come,a 33 year­ old that hasn't played a game for­ ages!....Yes,Blues all over again.Why not splash out on­ real talent such as Sheff.Utd's Killgallon.Might­ well cost money in fees but how much is Balde going to­ want in wages?

    From Les, on Sun 24 May 3:29PM

  2. tonypoole01, he is get getting more than i meal ticket­ at celtic, celtic may pay more than just wages for not­ playing him it big eck is wise to try him out after­ all he was one of the most feared players in scotland­

    good luck bobo move on i hope the next outfit works­ for you to me you are still a hero i have not forgot­ you AT ALL

    From , on Sun 24 May 12:48PM

  3. point 6.... I have 2 agree,but i truely hope we're­ both wrong. {i'm a celtic fan. mon the hoops 4 in a­ row}I've always liked big eck. one of the true­ gentelmen in the game. Good luck alex, good luck­ bobo...

    From wazzzzzaaaaaaa, on Fri 22 May 7:08AM

  4. If McLeish had the money he was promised then he­ wouldnt be giving Balde a second look. McLeish to be­ out by Christmas, and Im a McLeish fan. A money driven­ game but if youre not given the money.............

    From Peter, on Thu 21 May 5:26PM

  5. BOBO COULD RUN THROUGH BRICK WALLS FOR ANY TEAM HE­ PLAYS FOR.JUST DONT LET HIM TOUCH THE BALL WITH HIS­ FEET!!!!!ANYHOO GOOD LUCK BIG MAN AND I HOPE ­ BIRMINGHAM DONT PLAY A LOT OF FOOTBALL ON THE GROUND OR­ YOUR FOOKED!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    From chucky cfc, on Thu 21 May 4:28PM

  6. Let me put your minds at rest here - Balde is a solid­ defender who is not afraid to make the tackle. Ok,­ he's made a few defensive howlers, but a lot of­ them came from mistakes from the celtic midfield. Of­ course, you are correct to question his motivation and­ mentality, but rest assured that when he gets a jersey,­ he works a shift! Given time, you will all be chanting­ "BOBO'S GONNA GET YE!" to the­ opposition.. MARK MY WORDS!!

    From Singin' Ginger!!, on Thu 21 May 4:13PM

  7. Hang on, we've just let Jaidi go, only to trial a­ 33 year old form the SPL? I thought it was widely­ greed that with the exception of the Old Firm, the SPl­ was equivalent to the English Championship at best? ­ Plus he hasn't played regularly since 2006? What­ sort of message is this ending to the Blues fans? Only­ benefits are he's potentially on free, but he still­ soaks up a squad number. Can't help feeling­ jittery about this already......

    From Ted D, on Thu 21 May 3:25PM

  8. Good luck Bobo , I for one am sorry for the way we­ treated you . A great centre half and full commitment­ every time you played . I hope you get three good years­ in the EPL and show them what a fine player you are .­ Besta luck Big Yin .

    From laurencesmith1, on Thu 21 May 2:09PM

  9. dont bother he will be a complete waste of time ,dont­ give him the meal ticket ,lazy and 33

    From A, on Thu 21 May 1:24PM
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